Activities
Blue Dragon's main aim is to get children into school and keep them there with the view to improving their employment prospects and long-term goals. To achieve this, many other tasks are undertaken. Accommodation is provided, or repair/refurbishment of their existing home if living conditions simply aren't suitable. Out-of-school tuition is provided to help children study. Books and stationary are given to those who can't afford them.
Medical care is paid for in some extreme cases where it can save the life or lifestyle of a child. To date, two instances of cosmetic surgery (one facial tumour and one hare lip) have been funded or part-funded by Blue Dragon. These two operations have allowed the afflicted children to return to an education that they were previously excluded from because of their medical conditions. Another boy, seriously injured by a gang armed with knives and machetes, was nursed back to health with the help of Blue Dragon and returned to an almost normal life afterwards.
Child trafficking is a major issue in SE Asia, and Blue Dragon now tackles this as a permanent part of its workload. Two staff members work full-time on locating and rescuing child labourers who have been bought, traded or kidnapped by traffickers. The parents of many of these children believe they are sending them to a better life with an opportunity for education and a proper job. However, this is not the case and the children find themselves working 15 or more hours per day with no pay, and living in cramped, unsanitary conditions.
Blue Dragon works with a local NGO (CHIA) to run the Hoi-An Children's Home. Approximately 30 children live and are taught here.
All children who attend the drop-in centre can receive help with homework and/or basic non-school tuition. Healthy meals are provided, as is a place to sleep.
Blue Dragon works alongside many other charities in Vietnam. One of these, KOTO, has accepted several children from Blue Dragon onto its training program.
Read more about this topic: Blue Dragon Children's Foundation
Famous quotes containing the word activities:
“Minds do not act together in public; they simply stick together; and when their private activities are resumed, they fly apart again.”
—Frank Moore Colby (1865–1925)
“There is, I think, no point in the philosophy of progressive education which is sounder than its emphasis upon the importance of the participation of the learner in the formation of the purposes which direct his activities in the learning process, just as there is no defect in traditional education greater than its failure to secure the active cooperation of the pupil in construction of the purposes involved in his studying.”
—John Dewey (1859–1952)
“The old, subjective, stagnant, indolent and wretched life for woman has gone. She has as many resources as men, as many activities beckon her on. As large possibilities swell and inspire her heart.”
—Anna Julia Cooper (1859–1964)